GAME #2 - BUFFALO STATE BENGALS vs. HILBERT HAWKS
Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024 - 12:00 PM
Coyer Field – Buffalo, NY
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THE MATCHUP… Buffalo State is set to return to Coyer Field for the first time this season. The Bengals will host the Hilbert Hawks who enter their third season as a program. Buffalo State is 1-0 against the Hawks following a 44-12 victory last season.
THE BENGALS' LAST GAME… The Bengals opened the 2024 season at Brockport last Thursday night. The Golden Eagles came away with a 27-0 shutout victory to win their eighth straight matchup against the Bengals.
Brockport got the scoring started early as Isaiah Simmons ran 77 yards for the touchdown on just the third play of the game. The Bengals responded with a strong opening drive which included a beautiful 40-yard completion from
Noah Kimble (Depew, NY/Lancaster) to
Mikai Johnson (Far Rockaway, NY/James Madison), however, Brockport was able to intercept the ball in the red zone. After a few back-and-forth drives, the Golden Eagles surged downfield to score another touchdown. Buffalo State held strong on defense, but the offense couldn't find the endzone as the Bengals trailed 13-0 at halftime.
After a three-and-out to open the second half for Buffalo State, Brockport took over just short of midfield. As the Golden Eagles marched towards the redzone,
Basiaka Butcher (White Plains, NY/Valhalla) was able to snag the interception off a deflection and give the Bengals some momentum. The Bengals were unable to capitalize as they trailed into the final quarter by just two possessions. Brockport was able to hold the Bengals on defense and add two more scores on as they cruised the final minutes to earn the victory.
LAST TIME WE MET... After a dominate second half, the Bengals came away with a 44-2 victory over Hilbert back in October of last season.
Ale Wilson (Bronx, NY/KIPP College Prep) led the way with 156 total rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kimble was 12-21 through the air for 188 yards while
Tariq Nelson led the receiving room with scene catches for 79 yards.
The Hawks drove down the field on their opening drive to open the scoring, going ahead 6-0 after the Bengals blocked the extra point attempt. Buffalo State responded with a scoring drive of their own thanks to a field goal from
Nick Sciandra (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) from 51 yards out, setting a career high. The Bengals took the lead later in the first quarter after a seven-play drive and a
Cody Phillips (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) touchdown run.
Buffalo State got the ball early in the second quarter where Kimble was able to rebound from a poor snap and connect for another Bengals touchdown to give the team a 17-6 lead heading into halftime.
Buffalo State needed just four plays out of half to add another touchdown to the lead, as Wilson ripped off three runs for a total of 60 yards. Hilbert responded with a touchdown drive to make the score 24-12 early in the second half.
The Bengals took control the rest of the way adding three more scores to pad their lead and cruise to victory.
DEFENSIVE POWERHOUSE… Buffalo State's defense is one of the strongest in the Liberty League. The Bengals have three team members in the top-10 for total tackles as
Kenneth Mosley (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) is seventh,
Sincere Green (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown) is ninth, and
Nyjuan Littlejohn (Buffalo, NY/Health Sciences) is tenth.
CAN HE DO IT… Tariq Nelson is looking to solidify himself with 2,000 career receiving yards. Nelson is also 43 receptions away from 200 his career and is tied for the second-longest streak for consecutive games with a catch at 26. Future Buffalo State Hall of Famer Mike Doherty holds the record for most consecutive games with a catch since at least 2003 with a catch in 33 straight contests.
MILESTONE WATCH… In addition to Nelson, Mosley and Wilson are also making strides towards setting career marks. Mosley is 48 tackles shy of 200 for his career while Wilson is closing in on 2,000 career rushing yards.
OH CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!… Mosley is one of four captains for the Bengals this season. He is joined by
Darion Jones (Buffalo, NY/Hutch Tech),
Shamond Phillips (Brooklyn, NY/It Takes A Village Academy), and
Kenyi Onama (Rosedale, NY/Christ the King).
ABOUT THE BENGALS' COACH… Lazarus Morgan is in his third season at the helm of the Buffalo State football program in 2024 after being appointed as the sixth football coach in Buffalo State history in January 2022.
In his first season as head coach, Morgan guided six student-athletes to Liberty League All-Conference selections, as well as seven All-Academic team winners. In 2023, the team saw nine All-Conference picks and six All-Academic winners.
He arrived in Buffalo after serving as the defensive coordinator at SUNY Cortland during the 2021 season, coordinating the fifth-ranked overall defense in NCAA Division III, helping guide the Red Dragons to an 11-1 record, an Empire 8 title, and a trip to the NCAA playoffs.
A native of the Bronx, Morgan played defensive back at Utica College from 2006-08, then began his coaching career at his alma mater from 2009-13. He then moved to Alfred University from 2014-19, serving as the Saxon's defensive coordinator in the final four seasons.
EYES ON THE HAWKS… Hilber dropped their first matchup of the season in a 76-0 loss to the defending-National Champion Cortland Red Dragons.
Mike Hanlon led the Hawks on offense with 44 rushing yards in the effort. On the defensive side of the ball, Taivaughn Roach and Scotty Winchel each tallied 12 tackles.
The Hawks are still in search of their first win in program history.
SCHEDULES/RESULTS...
BUFFALO STATE (0-1, 0-0 LIBERTY LEAGUE)
| Sept. 5 |
at Brockport |
L, 27-0 |
| Sept. 14 |
HILBERT |
12 PM |
| Sept. 28 |
ALFRED STATE (Homecoming) |
5 PM |
| Oct. 5 |
at Mercyhurst |
1 PM |
| Oct. 12 |
HOBART *** |
3 PM |
| Oct. 19 |
at Union *** |
3 PM |
| Oct. 26 |
ITHACA *** |
12 PM |
| Nov. 2 |
at Rochester *** |
12 PM |
| Nov. 9 |
RPI *** |
1 PM |
| Nov. 16 |
at St. Lawrence *** |
1 PM |
*** LIBERTY LEAGUE CONTEST ***
HILBERT (0-1, 0-1 EMPIRE 8)
| Sept. 7 |
CORTLAND *** |
L, 76-0 |
| Sept. 14 |
at Buffalo State |
12 PM |
| Sept. 21 |
at Endicott |
12 PM |
| Sept. 28 |
at Lycoming |
1 PM |
| Oct. 5 |
at Alfred *** |
1 PM |
| Oct. 12 |
ST. JOHN FISHER *** |
12 PM |
| Oct. 19 |
BROCKPORT *** |
12 PM |
| Oct. 26 |
at Hartwick *** |
12 PM |
| Nov. 2 |
at Morrisville *** |
1 PM |
| Nov. 9 |
UTICA *** |
2 PM |
*** EMPIRE 8 CONTEST ***
